Security Systems News - Convergint Technologieshttp://www.securitysystemsnews.com/taxonomy/term/3488
enConvergint buys Go Security Solutions http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/blog/convergint-buys-go-security-solutions
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<div class="field-item even" property="schema:author dc:creator">Paul Ragusa</div>
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<div class="field-item even" property="schema:datePublished dc:created"><span class="date-display-single" property="schema:datePublished dc:created" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-10-05T00:00:00-04:00">10/05/2016</span></div>
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<div class="field-item even" property="schema:articleBody content:encoded"> <p>SCHAUMBURG, Ill.—Convergint Technologies, a global systems integration company with headquarters here, completed its seventh acquisition of the year with the purchase of Go Security Solutions, a systems integrator based in Westborough, Mass.</p>
<p>Dan Moceri, executive chairman and co-founder of Convergint Technologies, told <em>Security Systems News</em> that he is excited to have the Go Security Solutions team join the Convergint family.</p>
<p>“The company fits the criteria that we are looking for, which includes a strong culture—similar to Convergint’s—that is focused on service and the customer,” said Moceri. “They have a great reputation in the marketplace and really bring additional capabilities to extend service to our customers.”</p>
<p>Founded in 2009, Go Security Solutions is a full-service systems integrator specializing in electronic access control, video surveillance, alarm systems, and mechanical security solutions. </p>
<p>Moceri said the deal increases Convergint’s footprint in the Northeast. “It is a highly populated area, and we need to add resources,” he said. “We are growing in excess of 20 percent, and we are hiring more than a person a day somewhere in the world to support that growth and be able to provide the type of service that our customers have come to expect from us.”</p>
<p>Go Security Solutions is the seventh acquisition that Convergint has completed since January of 2016. </p>
<p>“We continue to grow organically but we also have supplemented that with strategic acquisitions where it makes sense to do that, and in some cases it is geographic coverage,” Moceri explained. “Our business in the northeast has been growing very nicely, and we are hiring people as fast as we can, but in some cases we are supplementing that with key acquisitions that can bring us additional resources.”</p>
<p>What is the key to Convergint’s success? “We invest a lot in the training and development of our team,” said Moceri. “There is a tremendous amount of work that goes into the infrastructure to support the growth, and we’ve spent a lot of time and money identifying the future leaders, and a lot of those leaders will come out of the organization itself, but we also look to some of the acquisitions to supplement the leadership needs of the organization as well.”</p>
<p>In terms of overall growth, Moceri said that Convergint “will get close” to the $600 million revenue mark for 2016, which “is up significantly from the $470 million that we were at last year,” he said.</p>
<p>When asked if Convergint is done on the acquisition front this year, Moceri said, “We’ve got quite a few acquisitions in the pipeline, and now that we are getting toward the end of the year, timing is everything. We have the potential of closing at least one more deal by the end of the year, and we expect to be just as active in 2017 as we were in 2016.”</p> </div>
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<span property="dc:title" content="Convergint buys Go Security Solutions " class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>Wed, 05 Oct 2016 19:36:58 +0000Paul Ragusa19249 at http://www.securitysystemsnews.comhttp://www.securitysystemsnews.com/blog/convergint-buys-go-security-solutions#commentsConvergint buys fifth company in five monthshttp://www.securitysystemsnews.com/blog/convergint-buys-fifth-company-five-months
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<div class="field-item even" property="schema:author dc:creator">Martha Entwistle</div>
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<div class="field-item even" property="schema:articleBody content:encoded"> <p>SCHAUMBURG, Ill.—Convergint Technologies today made it five purchases in five months. And, there will be more, according to Dan Moceri, Convergint executive chairman and co-founder.</p>
<p>Convergint's fifth purchase of 2016 is: Corporate Security Services of Edison, N.J.</p>
<p>Moceri told me the deal expands Convergint’s geographic reach in the N.Y., N.J. and Philadelphia region, brings "really nice integration skills, product expertise across product lines we support, ... and a similar focus on the customer on the service side." Corporate Security Services also has a "highly visible customer base with a strength in the financial and hospital verticals," according to a Convergint statement. <a href="http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/also-noted/corporate-security-services-secures-metlife">Here's a story about CSS work at MetLife Stadium. </a></p>
<p>Bob McCabe, president of Corporate Security Services, and all of his 30 staffers are joining Convergint. “Convergint’s commitment to superior customer service was a driving factor in our decision to join their team," McCabe said in a prepared statement.</p>
<p>When will the acquistiions stop? Not in the foreseeable future, Moceri said.</p>
<p>Moceri expects Convergint's 2016 revenue to be about $600 million. He wants to continue to expand the company organically and through acquisitions, and he has the support of PE partner KRG Capital, <a href="http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/krg-capital-invests-convergint-technologies">which Convergint has been working with since September of 2012. </a></p>
<p>"We think by 2020 we can be a billion dollar organization," Moceri said.</p>
<p>Convergint <a href="http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/convergint-buys-dakota-security">purchased Dakota Security</a> in January of this year. In April, Convergint acquired <a href="http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/convergint-acquires-he-comfort-controls">H&amp;E Comfort Controls of Windsor, Ontario</a>. and <a href="http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/convergint-buys-integration-business">Enion, an integration firm</a> based in Switzerland. Last month, Convergint bought <a href="http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/convergint-acquires-total-recall">Total Recall of New York. </a></p>
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<span property="dc:title" content="Convergint buys fifth company in five months" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>Wed, 01 Jun 2016 17:43:32 +0000SSN Editor19058 at http://www.securitysystemsnews.comhttp://www.securitysystemsnews.com/blog/convergint-buys-fifth-company-five-months#commentsConvergint buys integration businesshttp://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/convergint-buys-integration-business
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<div class="field-item even">Enion, based in Switzerland, key to Convergint’s global strategy</div>
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<div class="field-item even" property="schema:datePublished dc:date"><span class="date-display-single" property="schema:datePublished dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-04-20T00:00:00-04:00">04/20/2016</span></div>
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<div class="field-item even" rel="schema:author dc:creator">Martha Entwistle</div>
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<div class="field-item even" property="schema:articleBody content:encoded"> <p>SCHAUMBURG, Ill.—In a deal that will help serve its global customers, Convergint Technologies today announced it has purchased Enion AG, an integration firm based in Basel, Switzerland.</p>
<p>“One year ago <a href="http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/convergint-acquisition-aids-multi-national-strategy">we bought Beacon</a> in the U.K., now we’re starting to fill in mainland Europe to service our global customers,” Dan Moceri, Convergint executive chairman and co-founder, told <em>Security Systems News</em>. He declined to release financial terms of the deal.</p>
<p>Moceri said Convergint was drawn to Enion because of its “very high level integration skills and outstanding customer service skills.” Enion has a small number of employees right now, but Moceri said Convergint “is right now, on day one adding to the workforce on the operations and the business development side to add to the total coverage [we provide] in the U.K. and Europe.”</p>
<p>Enion’s location in Basel is strategic because it’s “right on the border of Switzerland, Germany and France,” allowing Convergint to serve customers in all three countries.</p>
<p>Many of Convergint’s global account customers are based in the U.S. and have operations in Asia Pacific, Europe and South America. “What they’re looking for is one service provider who can deliver consistent service across the globe,” Moceri said.</p>
<p>The Enion deal comes less than two weeks after Convergint acquired <a href="http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/convergint-acquires-he-comfort-controls">H&amp;E Comfort Controls</a> of Windsor, Ontario.</p>
<p>Moceri said that the H&amp;E deal helped with geographic coverage. “H&amp;E does building automation and security. We do support building automation in Canada. The deal was perfect for us in the Canadian market,” he said.</p>
<p>Moceri said that Convergint looks for one of three key attributes in an acquisition: geographical coverage; vertical market/technical expertise; or leadership.</p>
<p>“When you’re growing at the fast pace that Convergint is, at some point you have to look at bringing in outside leadership,” Moceri said.</p>
<p>Moceri said Convergint expects to complete more acquisitions before the end of the quarter.</p> </div>
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<span property="dc:title" content="Convergint buys integration business" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>Wed, 20 Apr 2016 17:14:40 +0000Spencer Ives18965 at http://www.securitysystemsnews.comhttp://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/convergint-buys-integration-business#commentsConvergint acquires H&E Comfort Controls http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/convergint-acquires-he-comfort-controls
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<div class="field-item even">Deal brings building automation capabilities</div>
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<div class="field-item even" property="schema:datePublished dc:date"><span class="date-display-single" property="schema:datePublished dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-04-20T00:00:00-04:00">04/20/2016</span></div>
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<div class="field-item even" property="schema:articleBody content:encoded"> <p>SCHAUMBURG,Ill.—Convergint Technologies, a global systems integration firm, on April 8 announced it has acquired H&amp;E Comfort Controls, a provider of building automation and security.</p>
<p>H&amp;E strengthens Convergint’s presence in Canada with a strategic location in Windsor, Ontario and a substantial customer-installed base throughout the province, according to an announcement from Convergint. This acquisition also expands Convergint’s access to several key vertical markets, including K-12 and higher education, municipal government, and utilities, the company said.</p>
<p>“H&amp;E extends our capabilities, solutions, and services within building automation throughout Eastern Canada, reinforcing our strategy of being our customers’ best service provider. Additionally, they bring an experienced staff with a broad range of skills, including the mechanical and electrical expertise to support our clients’ technical needs,” Ken Lochiatto, Convergint president and CEO, said in a statement.</p>
<p>Founded in 1989, H&amp;E offers access control, video surveillance, system integration, power metering, and energy efficiency.</p> </div>
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<span property="dc:title" content="Convergint acquires H&amp;E Comfort Controls " class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>Wed, 20 Apr 2016 16:04:18 +0000SSN Editor18961 at http://www.securitysystemsnews.comhttp://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/convergint-acquires-he-comfort-controls#commentsTen top integrators talk techhttp://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/ten-top-integrators-talk-tech
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<div class="field-item even">Cybersecurity, video analytics and data analytics common, but many other technologies identified</div>
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<div class="field-item even" property="schema:datePublished dc:date"><span class="date-display-single" property="schema:datePublished dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-01-29T00:00:00-05:00">01/29/2016</span></div>
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<div class="field-item even" rel="schema:author dc:creator">Martha Entwistle</div>
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<div class="field-item even" property="schema:articleBody content:encoded"> <p>YARMOUTH, Maine—For the second year in a row, <em>Security Systems News</em> has asked 10 top integrators which technology trends they believe integrators should be paying attention to and why. Again this year, cybersecurity and cloud were among those top trends, but several other technologies were identified including video and data analytics, big data.</p>
<p>Executives from the following companies participated in this report: Extravision Video Technologies, Security Equipment Inc., Integrated Security Systems, Tech Systems, Firstline Security, Pro-Tec Design, SDI, STANLEY Security, SSI and Convergint Technologies.</p>
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<p><img alt="" class="media-image" height="156" width="125" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/sites/ssn/files/styles/large/public/AndreFiset.jpg?itok=uU51GWGE" /><strong>André Fiset</strong></p>
<p><strong>President, Extravision Video Technologies</strong></p>
<p><strong>Montreal</strong></p>
<p>It is very unfortunate to say, but major trends are often the direct results of events that are affecting the world. Last year publicized cyberattacks created a new level of awareness which prompted manufacturers and integrators to react in order to help their customers and their IT groups to work together and adapt a series of technological measures to counteract such risks. This will now continue to be a major trend and system integrators have a part-ownership of this.</p>
<p>We are witnessing an increased requirement to better prepare ourselves against violent and often deadly attacks, and the corporate world is no longer immune to those threats. Law enforcement and the corporate world are facing the same issue: How can we better secure ourselves, our employees, and our citizens? Technology must be part of the equation.</p>
<p>I believe we’ll see two major trends. The first is preventive behavioral detection methodologies that can only be achieved by advanced video analytics. These analytics will come in many flavor, such as facial recognition, suspicious behaviors and even an automatic-threat recognition prompting a lockdown. This is why VMS companies are investing [in these technologies] knowing their VMS will play a much larger role in the coming few years. I believe that VMS will take the forefront over access control systems because they will manage from their much more intuitive interface.</p>
<p>The second trend is the development of PSIM that can link multiple technologies in one unified platform. The role of an efficient PSIM is to collect, analyze, verify, resolve, report and audit, but it also needs to prevent.</p>
<p>Advancements in PSIM developments will require that they more effectively prevent—by initiating actions flagged by the software—and act, whether it be by alerting a monitoring center or by simply isolating the threat until re-enforcement is dispatched.</p>
<p>A proper PSIM must involve all software activities no matter what they are, and interpret the meaning of the activity in a simplified form. A good example of this would be to provoke a lockdown of a facility when a confirmed hostility has occurred in the neighborhood as it is picked-up by the media and law enforcement. Although these activities are not on the corporate network, its proximity may have an impact on a facility, and a lockdown may help protect the people from further harm.</p>
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<p><img alt="" class="media-image" height="156" width="125" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/sites/ssn/files/styles/large/public/TomHruby.jpg?itok=kHjEMLFo" /><strong>Tom Hruby</strong></p>
<p><strong>EVP, Security Equipment Inc.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Omaha, Neb.</strong></p>
<p>I think hosted and managed services are really going to take off in 2016, specifically hosted and managed access and video. With the reduced deployment costs and ongoing administrative labor being practically eliminated, small- and medium-size companies will be looking to take advantage. Throw in the ability to connect from basically anywhere and it's hard to argue against cloud services.</p>
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<p><img alt="" class="media-image" height="156" width="125" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/sites/ssn/files/styles/large/public/JeffNunberg.jpg?itok=jy7FTnh7" /><strong>Jeffrey S. Nunberg</strong></p>
<p><strong>President &amp; CEO, ISS, Integrated Security Systems</strong></p>
<p><strong>Miami</strong></p>
<p>There are two areas that I think will make big gains in 2016. The first is cloud service offerings: Hosted and managed access is poised to break out of the gate especially with offerings from Feenics and BluB0X. The second is video analytics: Between processing horsepower increase in speed, demand for analytics and reduction in cost, this technology will be largely deployed in 2016</p>
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<p><img alt="" class="media-image" height="156" width="125" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/sites/ssn/files/styles/large/public/WayneSmith.jpg?itok=__Fnd1IV" /><strong>Wayne Smith</strong></p>
<p><strong>President, Tech Systems</strong></p>
<p><strong>Atlanta</strong></p>
<p>An important technology is cybersecurity requirements including settings, features and tools. Safeguarding networked physical security systems from potential hackers and viruses remains a challenge. Our industry hasn’t fully embraced its level of responsibility in this area. Entities like PSA Security Network are beginning to identify where the vulnerabilities lie and how to effectively mitigate these risks. I expect manufacturers to establish a more structured cybersecurity program within their product lines. The evolution of cyberrisks warrant significant investment and I anticipate that manufacturers will be releasing new features and training to support a cyberaware and secure environment.</p>
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<p><img alt="" class="media-image" height="156" width="125" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/sites/ssn/files/styles/large/public/SteveMorefield.jpg?itok=ayZu0Fic" /><strong>Steve Morefield</strong></p>
<p><strong>CEO/founder, Firstline Security</strong></p>
<p><strong>Anaheim</strong></p>
<p>Facial recognition is becoming a more recognized alternative to biometric readers. This technology is not subject to issues with dry skin, cuts, or aging of the user, and it is providing a higher degree of accuracy. While facial recognition is a more costly option today, I expect this to change in the near future.</p>
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<p><img alt="" class="media-image" height="176" width="125" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/sites/ssn/files/styles/large/public/TimFerrian.jpg?itok=S3gAANMh" /><strong>Tim Ferrian</strong></p>
<p><strong>Director of sales and marketing, Pro-Tec Design</strong></p>
<p><strong>Minneapolis</strong></p>
<p>I believe we are going to see clients make a step up in video resolution this year. Although a standard compression method (H.265) hasn’t been adopted which would significantly help offset the data increase, companies like Axis are inventing new ways to decrease bandwidth on its new series of cameras. Most of our clients use 720P as a standard interior camera resolution and 1080P or 5MP as standard exterior resolution. Instead of just taking the decreased bandwidth as a savings, I believe we will see clients invest that savings in higher resolution standards. I believe we will see 1080P become the new standard for interior cameras and 4K as the new standard for exterior cameras.</p>
<p>The other trend I see is with clients’ use of their systems. I wouldn’t call it a technology advancement, but rather a deeper use of their existing system. Clients are inquiring about how their access control or video surveillance systems can utilize data from other systems such as infant protection, asset tracking, visitor management or patient-wandering to enhance their business operations. Maybe I’d term it technology consolidation?</p>
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<p><img alt="" class="media-image" height="156" width="125" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/sites/ssn/files/styles/large/public/DawnNash.jpg?itok=gwydbdnR" /><strong>Dawn Nash Pfeiffer</strong></p>
<p><strong>EVP—marketing, SDI</strong></p>
<p><strong>Chicago</strong></p>
<p>With the ever-increasing tsunami of digital video data being collected by our industries of focus, integrators need to pay attention to the application of enterprise video content management (EVCM) platforms. EVCM systems are not device- or network-focused, they are instead oriented to taking video data from a wide range of sources that an enterprise may use for video acquisition.</p>
<p>Sources include those controlled by an organization, as well as external sources of data relevant to organizational operations. In law enforcement alone, petabytes of video are being generated daily by agencies via their fixed, in-car and now body-worn cameras. In addition, there is video and image data collected from private camera networks (stores and businesses) and cell phone images and video from the public. </p>
<p>This data needs to be reviewed, catalogued, stored and retrieved in a manner that meets evidentiary integrity standards, complies with governing regulatory requirements, and facilitates efficient police investigations and crime analyses. It also needs to work in tandem with other systems' data including 911 dispatch, records management, social media and the growing Internet of Things in the surrounding environment.</p>
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<p><img alt="" class="media-image" height="165" width="125" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/sites/ssn/files/styles/large/public/BobStockwell.jpg?itok=7bghD4ZC" /><strong>Bob Stockwell</strong></p>
<p><strong>V.P., CTO, STANLEY Security</strong></p>
<p><strong>Chicago</strong></p>
<p>The first technology integrators should pay attention to is mass notification and situational awareness options. Clients have a growing concern around employee safety and understanding what security products are available and how they can be integrated into the existing corporate security strategy to create a safer working environment.</p>
<p>The second technology is mobile security products in general. There is a great deal of interest in security-related solutions that can be used on mobile devices, this includes access control, CCTV, personal emergency products or (PERS) devices. As our society goes mobile, so will security.</p>
<p>The final technology is the cloud-based conversion of just about every security product offering. Over the last five years we have seen a major shift to cloud-based products and services for a host of reasons, some are driven by the customers’ IT professionals while others are driven by simple economics. Whatever the case, we will continue to see more solutions offered in this configuration as the industry evolves.</p>
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<p><img alt="" class="media-image" height="173" width="125" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/sites/ssn/files/styles/large/public/ToddFlowers.jpg?itok=pYThGeVS" /><strong>Todd Flowers</strong></p>
<p><strong>President, SSI</strong></p>
<p><strong>Rocklin, Calif.</strong></p>
<p>Wireless technology has matured in both bandwidth capacity and security while maintaining very reasonable price-points. The concept of secure gigabit wireless allows for very flexible camera placement in both indoor and outdoor environments. Additionally, combining wireless cameras alongside traditional /wired cameras can provide redundancy not just in placement, but also with multiple bridged networks. Furthermore, while special knowledge is required to analyze the wireless space, labor and material costs related to cabling burdens can be substantially reduced, therefore yielding an overall cost benefit.</p>
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<p><img alt="" class="media-image" height="156" width="125" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/sites/ssn/files/styles/large/public/TonyVarco.jpg?itok=jhfyzN8i" /><strong>Tony Varco</strong></p>
<p><strong>VP Security Division, Convergint Technologies</strong></p>
<p><strong>Chicago</strong></p>
<p>One of the top technology trends in 2016 involves the emergence of network diagnostic software tools that translates real-time information (big data) of physical security devices into actionable intelligence. These solutions generate proactive alerts on the health of network devices, identify trends to justify system upgrades, and provide detailed reports designed for executives to make informed decisions. As it relates to servicing and maintaining physical security systems, a more proactive and data-driven approach is required. Network diagnostic tools provide the empirical data needed to make timely, informed and cost-effective decisions.</p> </div>
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<span property="dc:title" content="Ten top integrators talk tech" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>Fri, 29 Jan 2016 17:25:11 +0000Spencer Ives18812 at http://www.securitysystemsnews.comhttp://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/ten-top-integrators-talk-tech#commentsConvergint buys Dakota Securityhttp://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/convergint-buys-dakota-security
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<div class="field-item even">Deal brings banking vertical expertise, opportunity for Dakota to go global</div>
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<div class="field-item even" property="schema:datePublished dc:date"><span class="date-display-single" property="schema:datePublished dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-01-04T00:00:00-05:00">01/04/2016</span></div>
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<div class="field-item even" property="schema:articleBody content:encoded"> <p>SCHAUMBURG, Ill.– Convergint Technologies, a global systems integrator based here, today announced the acquisition of Dakota Security Systems, one of the fastest growing and most well respected systems integrators in the country.</p>
<p>With the Dakota deal, Convergint now has 2,100 employees across the globe, 65 offices and more than $500 million in revenue. Convergint did about $411 million in business in 2014 and $328 million in 2013.</p>
<p>Based in Sioux Falls, S.D., Dakota Security has offices in Arizona, New York and throughout the Midwest. </p>
<p>“The Dakota culture is similar to ours and they have a service focus. Those are the two key things,” Dan Moceri, executive chairman of Convergint, told <em>Security Systems News</em>.</p>
<p>Dakota Security CEO Eric Yunag and his entire team will join Convergint.</p>
<p>The deal “continues Convergint’s aggressive growth in building out a world-class systems integrator,” Moceri said.</p>
<p>Convergint made two acquisitions in 2015. In January, <a href="http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/convergint-acquisition-aids-multi-national-strategy">it acquired Beacon Security and Communications</a> and in April, <a href="http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/convergint-acquires-gs-security">it purchased GS Security</a>, a Massachusetts-based integration firm.</p>
<p>Yunag has often talked about Dakota Security’s <a href="http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/blog/haves-and-have-nots-security-integration-companies">vertical market focus</a>. Notably, Dakota has expertise in the banking vertical.</p>
<p>Asked how joining Convergint will benefit Dakota, Yunag told SSN: “We have been limited geographically, now we’ll look at expanding that vertical market expertise across the country and across the world."</p>
<p>Moceri noted that Dakota brings some key customers “who have global operations. Now we’ll be able to service those customers [internationally] by leveraging both organizations,” he said.</p>
<p>The combined company provides system design, integration, installation, training and support services.</p> </div>
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<span property="dc:title" content="Convergint buys Dakota Security" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>Mon, 04 Jan 2016 21:39:42 +0000Spencer Ives18767 at http://www.securitysystemsnews.comhttp://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/convergint-buys-dakota-security#commentsConvergint likes LPR http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/convergint-likes-lpr
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<div class="field-item even" property="schema:datePublished dc:date"><span class="date-display-single" property="schema:datePublished dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-09-09T00:00:00-04:00">09/09/2015</span></div>
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<div class="field-item even" property="schema:articleBody content:encoded"> <p>SCHAUMBURG, Ill.—Systems integrator Convergint Technologies will begin selling PlateSmart license plate recognition (LPR) technology, PlateSmart announced Sept. 8.</p>
<p>PlateSmart, based in Oldsmar, Fla., <a href="http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/platesmart-takes-license-plate-recognition-cloud">bills itself as the first “software-only license plate recognition solution." </a></p>
<p>“Our clients continue to demand practical solutions that can help them improve the overall safety and security of their facilities and employees,” said Tony Varco, vice president of marketing and security at Convergint in a prepared statement. “They also look to Convergint to provide cost effective and proactive solutions that can turn real-time big data into immediate actionable intelligence. The PlateSmart solution continues to resonate with our clients because of its ability to cost effectively and seamlessly integrate with multiple third-party video management platforms.”</p>
<p>In a prepared statement, PlateSmart CEO John Chigos said, “This agreement will further PlateSmart’s mission to provide real-time value-added data for security agencies to use for investigative purposes. Furthermore, both companies share the belief that together we will further promote the use and development of more proactive VMS systems with real time video analytical information such as those provided by PlateSmart’s ARES. The end result will be better and more reliable security for everyone.”<br /> <br /> </p> </div>
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<span property="dc:title" content="Convergint likes LPR " class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>Wed, 09 Sep 2015 19:16:37 +0000SSN Editor18543 at http://www.securitysystemsnews.comhttp://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/convergint-likes-lpr#commentsConvergint acquires GS Securityhttp://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/convergint-acquires-gs-security
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<div class="field-item even">Deal extends Convergint’s reach in New England, gives GS global reach</div>
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<div class="field-item even" rel="schema:author dc:creator">Martha Entwistle</div>
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<div class="field-item even" property="schema:articleBody content:encoded"> <p>SCHAUMBURG, Ill.—Systems integrator Convergint Technologies completed the acquisition of GS Security Services of Tewksbury, Mass., a firm that Convergint has partnered with in the past.</p>
<p>“We have a number of global companies in New England and they have helped us service them,” Dan Moceri, executive chairman of Convergint, told Security Systems News.</p>
<p>Founded in 2007 by Eric Sink, Joe Gillis, and Nick Sink, GS has 27 employees and does business throughout New England. “They have good local customer base and some good national and global customers,” Moceri said. GS’s larger customers will benefit from Convergint’s global footprint, which includes more than 50 offices.</p>
<p>Moceri declined to name terms of the deal, which was announced April 6.</p>
<p>This is Convergint’s second acquisition this year. In January, <a href="http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/convergint-acquisition-aids-multi-national-strategy" target="_blank">it acquired Beacon Security and Communications</a>, which is based in Crowborough, England.</p>
<p>Convergint has another office located in Sharon, Mass. “The Sharon office is more on the fire and life safety side and GS is on the security side. It’s a really nice combination that will allow us to do security integration and fire and life safety as well,” Moceri said.</p>
<p>At this point, Convergint plans to keep offices in both locations.</p>
<p>Moceri said Convergint “has more acquisitions in the hopper that we expect to close later in the year.”</p>
<p>Convergint did $411 million in business in 2014. The company “continues to expand and invest. We add one person a day somewhere in the organization,” he said. “We had record bookings in the first quarter that we expect to translate to revenue in the latter part of the year,” Moceri said.</p> </div>
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<span property="dc:title" content="Convergint acquires GS Security" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>Wed, 08 Apr 2015 14:31:50 +0000Spencer Ives18240 at http://www.securitysystemsnews.comhttp://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/convergint-acquires-gs-security#commentsConvergint acquisition aids multi-national strategyhttp://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/convergint-acquisition-aids-multi-national-strategy
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<div class="field-item even">Convergint buys UK integrator Beacon Security and Communications</div>
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<div class="field-item even" rel="schema:author dc:creator">Martha Entwistle</div>
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<div class="field-item even" property="schema:articleBody content:encoded"> <p>SCHAUMBURG, Ill.—With the goal of offering better service to its growing multi-national client base, Convergint Technologies has acquired security integration firm Beacon Security and Communications, which is based in Crowborough, England.</p>
<p>Convergint’s business with multi-national corporations accounts for 25 percent of overall revenues in 2014, and it is projected to account for 30 percent in 2015, Dan Moceri, executive chairman of Convergint, told Security Systems News.</p>
<p>“The multi-national business is growing at a faster rate than the rest of the business,” Moceri said. “And, it represents a significant amount of the opportunity going forward.”</p>
<p>Convergint did $411 million in business in 2014, up from $328 million in 2013.</p>
<p>Beacon Security has 53 employees and has been in business since 1994. Beacon “looks like we do, only [it’s] in Europe. It is a fairly sophisticated systems integrator that does work for multi-nationals around the globe. Barclay’s, State Street Bank, American Express and KPMG are some of their clients,” Moceri said.</p>
<p>With ICD Security Systems, a systems integrator based in China that <a href="http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/convergint-acquires-fsc" target="_blank">Convergint acquired in Nov. 2013</a>, and now Beacon Security, Convergint can service multi-national clients from all three locations.</p>
<p>Moceri said that service and its “Quad 4” strategy are driving revenues in it multi-national business.</p>
<p>“Convergint was built on a service model,” Moceri said.</p>
<p>“When we started this company 13 years ago we saw the opportunity for large strategic customers … who want consistent service across their portfolio. Then it was only the U.S. and Canada [now we do it across the globe] … and that’s driving growth,” he said.</p>
<p>Its Quad 4 strategy—the integration of traditional access control, video surveillance and enterprise IT services—“where we take data from physical security systems and turn it into useful information for the business enterprise. [This information brings customers better] efficiency, regulatory compliance, cost savings.” </p>
<p>Convergint uses its customers’ physical security data “for a lot more than forensic information,” Moceri said.</p>
<p>Moceri declined to discuss terms of the Beacon deal.</p>
<p>Convergint today has more than 50 offices “signing local business” in addition to help service multi-national accounts.</p>
<p>Moceri believes Convergint will grow by 20 percent in 2015. </p> </div>
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<span property="dc:title" content="Convergint acquisition aids multi-national strategy" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>Wed, 14 Jan 2015 18:03:01 +0000Spencer Ives18055 at http://www.securitysystemsnews.comhttp://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/convergint-acquisition-aids-multi-national-strategy#commentsDisaster recovery within 15 minutes at Deltahttp://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/disaster-recovery-within-15-minutes-delta
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<div class="field-item even">Duplicate site and drills ensure business continuity</div>
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<div class="field-item even" property="schema:datePublished dc:date"><span class="date-display-single" property="schema:datePublished dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-05-28T00:00:00-04:00">05/28/2014</span></div>
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<div class="field-item even" rel="schema:author dc:creator">Amy Canfield</div>
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<div class="field-item even" property="schema:articleBody content:encoded"> <p>ATLANTA—If Delta Air Lines’ Operations Control Center is incapacitated due to a fire, extreme weather or bomb, it can set up within 15 minutes at a duplicate facility already in place nearby. That’s been proven during yearly drills.</p>
<p>Tasked with monitoring the safety and security of 4,900 daily flights, even that 15 minutes can be vital for the OCC. You can’t be out of touch with aircraft for much longer, Damon Cox, supervisor, domestic operations, flight control, said during the ASIS 2014 Media Tour.</p>
<p>The duplicate site has the exact access control for employees, the same office layout, workstations, computer terminals and more.</p>
<p>The bustling, yet quiet OCC is responsible for the safety of each Delta flight. It monitors weather with a professional meteorology staff, political happenings in the world that might impact flights, traffic patterns and virtually every other type of potential disruption to its flight schedule. If your Delta flight is delayed or canceled, it’s OCC that made that call.</p>
<p>If there’s a mid-air disturbance on any one of Delta’s flights worldwide, Kevin Wilhite, with corporate security at the OCC, will hear about it.</p>
<p>When he gets a direct call at his security station from a flight crew, he’ll immediately be touch with the TSA, FBI, CIA and other authorities as the situation warrants. Databases will be checked and Wilhite will find out if there is an air marshal on board the flight. He then will determine whether it’s necessary for the flight to be rerouted to a closer landing site, if the disruptive passenger should be restrained or what other protective measures the flight crew should take, if any.</p>
<p>J. Randy Ryan, district manager for Allied Barton, conducted the tour of the large, multi-building Delta campus, including its OCC. Ryan, a former Delta employee, is in charge of physical security on the Delta campus, including its access control systems and fingerprinting center for prospective and current employees.</p>
<p>The site uses Andover Continuum for its access control, provided by systems integrator Convergint Technologies.</p>
<p>Security on the campus is tight, especially when it comes to Delta’s technical operations center, or TOC, which repairs and maintains aircraft, Ryan said. Titanium, gold, silver and platinum are used in repairs there and the facility also has direct access to the nearby Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. A separate security system is in place at that site and access is heavily restricted.</p>
<p>In addition, Delta is soon to open its Delta Heritage Museum on the campus, which will provide additional security challenges, Ryan said. There’s a separate entrance to the secure the campus for the museum, but keeping museum visitors off the main campus eventually may require a fence, he said.</p> </div>
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<span property="dc:title" content="Disaster recovery within 15 minutes at Delta" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>Wed, 28 May 2014 17:51:32 +0000Leif Kothe17514 at http://www.securitysystemsnews.comhttp://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/disaster-recovery-within-15-minutes-delta#comments